Thursday, October 6, 2011

Lord we
bring MLA: Hon Rich Coleman to You today. We ask that You will be near him this
week as he goes about his work and also in his rest times. Protect him and
bless his family with good health and a joy of being together. We pray in
Jesus' name. Amen

Rich Coleman
was appointed Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Housing
on March 14, 2011. He was re-elected for a fourth term as MLA for Fort
Langley-Aldergrove in the 2009 general election.

Rich’s
previous cabinet positions include Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor
General and Minister Responsible for Housing, Minister of Housing and Social
Development and Minister of Forests and Range.

Rich’s
dedication and passion for public service was shaped by his parents—a father
who was a civil servant and a mother who was school teacher. They taught their
children that community came first, and that serving others was the noblest thing
a person could commit themselves to. That community-first attitude has guided
Rich his entire life.

Before
entering public life, Rich was governor of the BC Kinsmen, president of the
Aldergrove Chamber of Commerce, Langley’s 1988 Volunteer of the Year, and a
director on several volunteer boards. As a member of the Aldergrove Kinsmen
Club in the 1980s, Rich oversaw the volunteer fundraising and construction
efforts that built the Aldergrove Kinsmen Community Centre, a vital community
facility which houses a preschool, library, workout area, and meeting space.
The Club was also involved in building a successful housing project in
Aldergrove. Rich is a life member of the Kinsmen.

In
recognition of his tireless and long-term work in the community, Rich has been
awarded both Rotary’s top honour, the Paul Harris Fellowship, and the Kinsmen’s
highest honour, the Hal Rogers Fellowship. Rich was the second person ever
honoured with the Hal Rogers—the first being Kin founder Hal Rogers himself.

Rich has
been elected four times (1996, 2001, 2005, and 2009) as MLA for Fort
Langley-Aldergrove. He has previously served as Minister of Public Safety and
Solicitor General, and Minister of Forests and Range. He and his wife Michele
live in the Fraser Valley.